View full size(The Huntsville Times/Eric Schultz)EADS North America CEO Sean O'Keefe and his son survived a plane crash in Alaska that killed former Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska.

EADS North America Chief Executive Sean O'Keefe was one of four survivors of a plane crash in rural Alaska late Monday that claimed the lives of five passengers, including former U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska.

O'Keefe, 54, and his son Kevin were among the survivors of the crash near Dillingham in southwestern Alaska. The single-engine plane, a DeHavilland DHC-3 Otter, was carrying nine passengers to a fishing camp on the Nushagak River when it crashed into a mountainside.

The accident killed the state's most beloved political figure and stranded the survivors on brush-and-rock-covered slopes overnight until rescuers could reach them. Volunteers discovered the wreckage late Monday and tended to the injured until military rescue teams could arrive.

Alaska police said the crash occurred in rugged terrain and that rain and fog made rescue efforts difficult. The Alaska Air National Guard reached the crash site Tuesday morning with an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter.

O'Keefe and his teenage son were flown to Providence Hospital in Anchorage, where they were being treated for broken bones and other injuries. O'Keefe reportedly suffered a broken pelvis and hip while his son, a student at Syracuse University, suffered multiple fractures.

Sean O'Keefe was listed in critical condition late Tuesday while Kevin O'Keefe was listed in serious condition.

Stevens, 86, who served in the Senate from 1968-2009, was among the five passengers who were confirmed dead. The veteran lawmaker left Washington under a cloud of scandal following his 2008 conviction on corruption charges -- later vacated -- but was remembered as an uncompromising advocate for Alaska.

"Ted Stevens was a good friend and a distinguished colleague," said U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Tuscaloosa. "His commitment to the people of Alaska was remarkable, making him a legendary advocate for the state. No one has done more for Alaska than Ted. I extend my deepest sympathy to Catherine, his children and the entire Stevens family for their loss."

O'Keefe worked under Stevens as a senior staffer for the Senate Appropriations Committee in the mid-1980s, and the two remained friends and fishing buddies as O'Keefe moved through a diverse career that included stints as NASA administrator, Navy secretary and chancellor of Louisiana State University.

O'Keefe was named chief executive of EADS North America, the U.S. arm of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co., in October. In that position, he has been a leader in the company's bid for a $40 billion contract to build refueling tankers for the U.S. Air Force.

EADS, the parent company of Airbus, announced its intention to build the tankers at a $600 million factory in Mobile if it can beat rival Boeing Co. for the deal. A decision is expected by Nov. 12.

The cause of the plane crash was not immediately known, but police said the flights at Dillingham are often perilous through the mountains, even in good weather.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Mike Fergus said the vintage plane, registered to Anchorage-based General Communications Inc., took off at 2 p.m. Monday from a GCI corporate site on Lake Nerka, heading to the Agulowak Lodge on Lake Aleknagik.

He said the float plane was flying by visual flight rules and was not required to file a flight plan.

National Weather Service data showed that weather conditions deteriorated between 1 and 2 p.m. Monday -- the approximate time the FAA said the plane took off. Visibility at Dillingham, the nearest observation area, was about 10 miles with overcast skies at 1:49 p.m.; it was 3 miles by 2:22, with light rain, fog and mist reported.

Volunteer pilots were dispatched about 7 p.m., after the plane was overdue at its destination. They came upon the wreckage about a half-hour later, authorities said.

The weather soon took a turn for the worse, with heavy fog, clouds and rain blanketing the area and making it impossible for rescuers to arrive until after daybreak.

EADS thanked emergency responders for their "heroic efforts" following the crash and expressed sympathy to the families of the victims.

"It was with a great sense of relief and gratitude that we learned that Sean, and his son, Kevin, survived the aircraft crash in Alaska," said Ralph Crosby, the chairman of EADS North America. "We look forward to Sean's full recovery and his rapid return to EADS North America."

O'Keefe, a native of New Orleans, has been with EADS for less than a year, but local officials said he quickly established himself as an influential player in the high-stakes tanker contest.

"There's no question he's been supportive of our efforts and a great ally for Mobile," said Mayor Sam Jones. "We're very pleased and grateful to hear that he survived, and we'll continue to pray for his recovery."